In a bid to increase cotton production and support thousands of cotton growing households, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) through Miraa, Pyrethrum, Fibre and other Industrial Crops Directorate (MPFID) has intensified revitalization of cotton production in all the cotton-growing counties in the country.
Speaking during the Cotton and Pesticides Distribution Launch in Mbeere South, Embu County, MPFID Assistant Director Paul Opee, who represented the MPFID Director, reaffirmed the Authority’s continued effort to provide quality planting seeds and essential farm inputs.
Additionally, Opee revealed that this year, the Authority is distributing 100 motorized spray pumps to cotton-growing regions across the country basing the number of pumps given to each county on the production level. Embu County received two of the pumps during the launch ceremony to support farmers in pest and disease management.
He noted that the cotton sector has registered a 14.4 percent increase in the recent past despite the unfavorable weather conditions that continue to pose a major challenge to production.
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“In the year 2025, the area under cotton production expanded to 18,852.47 hectares, up from 16,477 hectares in 2024. This growth has largely been attributed to the adoption of improved seed varieties, particularly Bt hybrid cotton.” He noted
He added that the variety has demonstrated superior performance compared to conventional varieties in terms of higher yield potential, resistance to pests and diseases, tolerance to harsh climatic conditions, and shorter maturity periods.
According to Opee, the average cotton yield also improved significantly to 467.9 kilograms per hectare in 2025 compared to 153 kilograms per hectare recorded the previous year. However, the yield still remains below the national average of 572 kilograms per hectare, highlighting the need for continued investment in farmer support and adoption of modern farming technologies.
Present during the launch were Agriculture officials from Embu County who urged farmers to increase cotton production and embrace best agronomic practices to enhance their competitiveness and bargaining power in the market.
By Juma Ndigo
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